University of Oklahoma Edition

– Let’s start with some news on the D-line front. In the past few weeks, we’ve heard that Oklahoma has been making an impression on DE and TCU commit, Breylin Mitchell. In fact, the coaches have dropped by to see Mitchell a couple times during this spring evaluation period. Mitchell has not had a chance to visit Norman yet and, to be honest, that seems like the main hold up right now. He has told us that he is open to recruitment in general and has not shut things down. His communication with Oklahoma is pretty regular, and it seems he’s just waiting for the opportunity to get up for a visit to “see what they have to offer.”

In chatting with Breylin, and asking people around the situation, Oklahoma seems to be in really good shape here. OU is looking to take two DEs, and I like where things stand with Mitchell, Gallimore, and to a lesser extent Gabriel Campbell. Coach Montgomery stopped Yazoo City to visit Campbell this past week. And while I know it’s a long shot, I’m still holding out hope that Fehoko will follow through on his intent to take an official visit to Oklahoma.

– Chatted a little bit with 2016 OT Gregory Little. Not a lot to report on that front and it’s still early, but Little praised Bedenbaugh and said “I love OU.” From what I can tell, he still seems to be open to a number of schools. But based on the exchange I had with him, OU seems to be a real player, along with TAMU.

– You all remember the LSU star safety Eric Reid, right? Well Oklahoma has begun to recruit Eric’s little brother, Justin, who is also a safety. Bobby Jack Wright was down in Geismar, Louisiana to visit Reid, and I’ve heard that an offer could come for Reid. Oklahoma has been hesitant with their safety offers due to the fact that OU feels good about where they stand with Kahlil Haughton and Will Sunderland. However, I’ve also been told that OU isn’t prepared to be as patient with Sunderland as they were with Steven Parker. In my opinion, there are a number of safeties in Louisiana and Texas that are comparable to Sunderland. That said, in my opinion, Haughton is unique and very special. He’d be the top of our board.

– Speaking of Haughton, we caught up with him earlier this week and it sounds as though he is narrowing things down and will be releasing a list of top schools soon. We’re confident that OU will be on there. Everything we’ve heard indicates that Haughton is at the top of OU’s board.

– I recently talked to a couple people that are close to the Wariboko situation. The impression I got is he’s seriously considering OU, OSU, Texas and Texas A&M. However, knowing that Wariboko’s parents are big OU fans, and there not really being any educational benefits of going to OSU, I sort of disregard them. I was told though that anyone who thinks OU is out of it would be very mistaken. However, I was also told from a source very close to UCLA that the Bruins are seriously considering offering Josh’s little brother, Max, in order to land the Oklahoma City standout. To be honest, if I hadn’t heard it from someone so close to UCLA’s program I would not have believed it.

Josh visited USC but at the time they were in LA, they weren’t yet in contact with UCLA so they didn’t get a chance to visit the campus. But the Wariboko’s haven’t hesitated to visit campuses, so a return trip to LA wouldn’t surprise me. UCLA has a beautiful campus, is in a beautiful area, and with their academic reputation, I’d have to think if they do indeed offer Max they are going to become major contenders. I’ve also been told that the Wariboko’s will visit Louisville (the first and only high major program to offer Max thus far) this summer.

– We’re used to Oklahoma having an RB commit by now, but obviously that has not happened yet. One RB the Sooners are targeting is current Texas Tech commit, Corey Dauphine. OU stopped by to see Dauphine recently. We talked to Dauphine earlier this week, and he said that he’s very interested in Oklahoma. He also said that he’s working on setting up a trip to Norman this summer.

– Wanted to let y’all know that Juwan Dowels, the OU target we backed off of due to grade concerns (concerns I felt were unwarranted), is now qualified. Wish him the best of luck at Syracuse, along with LB Jonathan Thomas who also qualified. Both are A1 kids and athletes.

– Speaking of Juwan, I chatted a little with his former teammate, Torrance Gibson and a friend who coaches at their HS, American Heritage. While Gibson did have OU sitting at No. 6 on his recently released list of top schools, it sounds like that does not necessarily mean the Sooners won’t get an official. Gibson came to OU when no one was on campus since it was at the tail end of spring break. He hit it off with Coach Heupel, but obviously being able to be around the players and all the coaches helps a prospect get a better feel for a school. As many of you know by now, Bob Stoops was also not in town for Gibson’s visit.

It seems Heupel hasn’t given up on at least winning an official visit from Gibson. As we indicated yesterday, Heupel visited Gibson and co. this week. Gibson’s coach told me that the order of his schools changes day-to-day. He also said to keep an eye on Alabama and Miami. I know a lot of OU fans roll their eyes when it comes to Torrance, because they assume there is no way we get him. And if I’m being perfectly honest, that is probably true. But, in my opinion, you still fight to get that official visit. A QB that runs their recruitment out till after he takes all of his official visits is going to have a lot of schools eliminate themselves by taking another QB. In addition, Oklahoma may have a stellar year while schools like Tennessee may not. In fact, one of those schools may pound the other into oblivion. Like, say, in a non-conference game that may be taking place in mid-September of this year. And if I were a betting man, I’d bet that the team NOT taking the beating will be OU.

– UPDATE (11:50 am): OU has now extended an offer to 2015 TE/DE Josh Moore (Olathe, KS). We told you on Wednesday to expect this soon and that OU wants him at TE.

– UPDATE (4:26 pm): Per Tom VanHaaren of ESPN, Oklahoma has offered Louisiana OT, Garrett Thomas. We’ve already caught up with Garrett a little bit and he said that he actually visited Oklahoma back in January. He also said that he plans on making a return trip. He loved his first visit and it sounds like another one could be coming soon. Louisiana is the spot! 🙂

Wow, impressive. I think it kinda looks tight. Makes me excited to see what OU brings to the table.

SoonerfanTU

All that “stuff” is going to look really stupid though when they are going 8-4 every year. Just wait until the “new” wears off.

EasTex

How many make overs has aTm had in the past 35 years? I was in grad school there when Jackie Sherrill was hired and all the “buzz” that created, which then caused a massive redo of their facilities. I believe it was with Franchione when another redo was made and now this. Their results to date have not been altered by their cosmetics, though I give them some credit for trying.

Shelby is a Patriot

It kind of looks like the Endar Spire on Star Wars: Kotor.

Super Keith

I guess I don’t “see it”. I’ve seen all of OU’s facilities (Weight Room, Locker Room, Team Meeting Room, etc.), and the proposed A&M images don’t really look much different.

Oregon has an incredible facility (that I do think is better than ours), and Bama has a nice one too, but I guess I don’t get too worked up with this kind of stuff.

If I’m a recruit, I’d rather have the “best” living space (Headington) over the best locker to change my underwear.

Zack

In regards to torrance. Miami I believe just landed a 4* pro style qb. I still believe he won’t choose a school that already has a kid “committed”. As we know long way til signing day but if ou gets an official and shows torrance that he’s the only kid on their radar then maybe that’s enough to sway him. That’s good news on dowels too bad he didn’t come to ou I think on film he was every bit as exciting as adoree Jackson.

EasTex

The 2014 class reports in a matter of weeks. With the players we already have and the exciting prospects coming in, any O-line recruits for 2015 would be foolish not to want to block for the all the RBs, QB and WRs we have. Only 106 more days.

rphdenton

…..you’d think, but seems to be a yearly story that o linemen ain’t beatin’ the door down to come here, or d linemen for that matter

EasTex

Can’t do anything about the foolishness of young men. 🙂

SoonerfanTU

I wonder if our depth, and YOUNG depth on top of that, is a partial reason for no RB commit just yet? Doesn’t matter how good you are, if you aren’t a guy like AD, there just aren’t going to be many carries to go around for the next couple of seasons. Ford. Ross. Mixon. Perine. All will be underclassmen this next year. That is a lot of young talent.

rphdenton

….same situation with qb’s

ToatsMcGoats

Nope. It’s Corvettes for QB’s…Don’t you read Esco Daily?

Zack

That’s a good point but Alabama and lsu bring in top rated running backs every year and buy them cameros.

rphdenton

1) re wariboko……..when you list other schools he is interested in, do we assume that he has positive feedback from them for the brother deal, hence the interest 2) what is the deal with Barnett………is he seriously looking around…………thxs

Super K

No rp. Sorry should have clarified. I know Sooners, TAMU and Texas will not offer his brother (at least not unless he makes a major jump down the road). Don’t know about Okie State.

Boise didnt need 450 million in rennovations to beat OU some years back… My point is this is all nice and shinny but when your getting your arse smoked day in and day out like A$M will in the SEC Future the kids wont have time to even see it, let alone enjoy it; they will be to busy running up and down those 450 million dollar steps trying to figure out WHY… What kids want to see is Heritage Hall, great tutors and massive weight rooms with health care assistants…

Super K

I think as long as you’re not lagging behind…recruiting in the service of winning games is about effort, charisma, evaluation, savvy, strategy, leverage etc. The problem is…with programs like TAMU taking the next step in facility development, it forces OU to do the same in order to not “lag behind”

Chase Korenek

Hey guys/”brainiacs”, don’t get me wrong after watching some highlight videos and stuff I think Torrance is one incredible athlete, but how good of an actual “pro-style”/pocket passer do yall think he really is? I might be in the minority here but I wasn’t to impressed with his accuracy or mechanics.?.?

Steve Johns

I’m right there with you, if OU misses out on him it’s no big loss in my book.

Chase Korenek

Yeah Steve it’s like I was saying…there’s no denying he’s a great athlete, but I wasn’t to impressed with his actual “QB” skills.

Shelby is a Patriot

no, but I doubt the Coaches would be pursuing him if they didn’t think Heupel could fix that.

Chase Korenek

You can fix mechanics, but you can’t fix a QB’s natural ability to be just plain accurate.

Zack

I’ve only watched some of his film but obviously it wouldn’t show him being wildly inaccurate. I will say that Bradford was one of the most accurate college qbs ever but if you can find high school film on him I bet it wouldn’t be that impressive. North wasn’t a very good team with him they made one good run in the state playoffs but they were like 5-5 and benefited from a weak district. My point is he may or may not have the accuracy but it’s about building consistency and being willing to work and understand other aspects of the game.

Chase Korenek

agree

Chase Korenek

To be fair in regards to Bradford, he had one of the best (in my opinion) offensive lines OU has had in the past 20 years if not THE best. Having Gresham also opened up the passing game for him as well. Having to account for Gresham along with the receivers we had, took a lot of the double coverage out of play. MAN I miss having a tight end like Gresham now that I think about it!

Shelby is a Patriot

Still, Heupel wouldn’t recruit him if he didn’t think that Gibson could have that accuracy, and everything else needed to be a good pocket passer. Either way, if we do get him and he still can’t be a solid, throw first QB, then he likely won’t start.

Jordan Esco

He’s not pro-style at all, but that’s also not the style of QB has been recruiting since all the way back to Landry.

And if there is anyone in the country I’d have confidence in working w/ Gibson to sure up his mechanics, it’s Josh Heupel.

Chase Korenek

You think so Jordan? I would consider Hansen and Thomas more of your typical pro-style, but I do see what your saying as far as the type of QB OU and Heupel are starting to pursue more.

Jordan Esco

I’d agree w/ that to a certain extent. They are both much closer to that style than Gibson, but both can also tuck it and run when need be. I’d say they lean more towards the dual-threat side of things than they do your prototypical “pro-style”

Chase Korenek

The more I think about it I guess Hansen and Thomas could be seen as not so “pro-style” typical.

Super K

Thanks for the comment Chase. Here is a breakdown/Q&A that we did with our friend and partner Chris Trulove about Torrance Gibson. Trulove was the former director of pro scouting for the Denver Broncos for about 10 yrs: https://thefootballbrainiacs.com/?p=3641

Chase Korenek

Thanks for the info…you “brainiacs” really are the best when it comes to my Sooners. Keep up the great work guys!

Super K

Thanks Chase 🙂

SoonerfanTU

Yep. I don’t mind chasing this kid a while longer, but given that he needs a lot of work on his passing just to be serviceable (and I think that is why OU is recruiting him, given our depth), unless the staff is okay with not adding much at QB this year should this fall thru, I wouldn’t hold on much longer. Just me though.

Stephen

Is the program still looking at Dahu Green? It would waste to let that amount of talent and speed go.

Super K

Dahu isn’t currently being recruited by OU. He’s really interested in Louisville right now.

Stephen

Thanks, K! With the depth at QB and Mayfield eligible next season, do you think if OU misses on Gibson will they consider taking another QB in this recruiting class? Or will they set their sights further down the road to 2016?

Super K

Unfortunately, I’m not sure. But their actions lead me to believe that they aren’t particularly worried about it. I think they feel good about the QB from NJ in the 2016 class. And the 2016 class is stacked. 2015 class is a little slim pickings.

Zack

Any chance they decide late (assuming torrance goes elsewhere and stidham doesn’t flip) to offer the kid from Norman north. I saw that he was a huge climber on 247 rankings. I don’t subscribe so I don’t know other details about the reason for his climb.

Super Keith

Stephen, I’m pretty sure Populous had a hand in the last phase of the stadium renovations.

They are one of (if not THE) leading architecture firms in sport venue design.

Jared Tyra

Josh Moore looks like the perfect athlete to continue the position’s comeback at OU. If boulware puts in the work and brings him to Norman, I bet he’d be a three (possibly four) year starter.

Chase Korenek

On a different note, I think Kahlil Haughton is extremely underrated. He’s one of the players I think be very very special. I am praying that OU lands him.

Super K

Agree. Best safety I’ve seen in Texas so far.

hOUligan

Love the offer to Reid. Lots of time and like getting early offers to in-state kids but don’t want all OUr eggs in Sunderlands basket. How are things looking for Elam? Who else?

Thanks for sharing that’s a good read. I like stoops approach and I think that’s why he starts slow and finishes strong because he wants these kids to be kids and enjoy the process but not commit until they are sure.

EasTex

You are welcome. I like his style. If a player buys in he wants to be there, which makes him invested in the team’s success.